Posts
Tuesday
It is very difficult in China to estimate the size of a church by the size of the congregation on Sunday or the report of the pastor. In urban churches, it is not surprising that the size of the congregation is smaller than the membership of the church because the people lead very busy lives or their children have many activities. We pray that believers will not be merely Sunday Christians but grow in God’s Word and be able to lead their family spiritually.
Wednesday
For some traditional churches in China, the pastors have observed that church members will attend communion Sunday service as often as possible, even with a busy schedule. It is the tradition of some Chinese churches that one must take communion at the church where one is a member. Church attendance on communion Sunday would likely be the highest and close to the church membership. We pray that all pastors are able to care for their members effectively and meet their spiritual needs.
Thursday
In rural churches in China, attendance on communion Sunday is also higher because believers who have migrated to nearby towns or cities may intentionally go back to their home villages for communion and reunion, regularly or occasionally in particular during festival times. Once again, we pray for a revival of all rural churches in China and especially give thanks for those who have moved away to cities but still care for and support financially their home churches in the villages.
Friday
Universities in China have conducted surveys of households to get information on religious beliefs but under the restrictive environment in China, there is a big concern that people are hesitant to reveal their Christian identity to officials. Being a Christian is certainly not easy in China, especially under the current political climate. We pray for wisdom for all believers and that the Lord will grant them good opportunities and boldness to share their faith with others.
Saturday
Taking surveys of a church congregation has its limitations in China since there is a lack of lists of members of the churches. People who transfer from other churches, older Christians who often attend church only on holidays, making it difficult to count accurately. However, surveys are useful in reveal the fascinating reality and provide valuable insights in understanding the development of churches. We pray for boldness and a good testimony for all believers, and that they will be Light and Salt in their apartment buildings and in their communities.
Sunday
In recent years, there has been a growing trend for local churches in China to join certain denominations, but this is still a relatively small percentage of the churches. In the future, it may be useful to see how denominations grow as part of church growth study nationwide. Being affiliated with a denomination implies a connection with a foreign entity which can present unwanted official scrutiny, especially in the time of increased restrictions. We pray for vibrant growth and sound teaching in all churches.
Monday
It has been suggested that young people from different churches in the same Chinese city should gather together and hold some activities, not merely for socializing or match-making, but to give them a sense of community. We ask the Lord to prepare young pastors to shepherd young people, and to raise up more young people who have a better understanding of the Bible. We pray they are willing to influence their peers and even become the little shepherds among them, training them to be bold in sharing the gospel with their peers and even to lead others in fellowship.
It is very difficult in China to estimate the size of a church by the size of the congregation on Sunday or the report of the pastor. In urban churches, it is not surprising that the size of the congregation is smaller than the membership of the church because the people lead very busy lives or their children have many activities. We pray that believers will not be merely Sunday Christians but grow in God’s Word and be able to lead their family spiritually.
Wednesday
For some traditional churches in China, the pastors have observed that church members will attend communion Sunday service as often as possible, even with a busy schedule. It is the tradition of some Chinese churches that one must take communion at the church where one is a member. Church attendance on communion Sunday would likely be the highest and close to the church membership. We pray that all pastors are able to care for their members effectively and meet their spiritual needs.
Thursday
In rural churches in China, attendance on communion Sunday is also higher because believers who have migrated to nearby towns or cities may intentionally go back to their home villages for communion and reunion, regularly or occasionally in particular during festival times. Once again, we pray for a revival of all rural churches in China and especially give thanks for those who have moved away to cities but still care for and support financially their home churches in the villages.
Friday
Universities in China have conducted surveys of households to get information on religious beliefs but under the restrictive environment in China, there is a big concern that people are hesitant to reveal their Christian identity to officials. Being a Christian is certainly not easy in China, especially under the current political climate. We pray for wisdom for all believers and that the Lord will grant them good opportunities and boldness to share their faith with others.
Saturday
Taking surveys of a church congregation has its limitations in China since there is a lack of lists of members of the churches. People who transfer from other churches, older Christians who often attend church only on holidays, making it difficult to count accurately. However, surveys are useful in reveal the fascinating reality and provide valuable insights in understanding the development of churches. We pray for boldness and a good testimony for all believers, and that they will be Light and Salt in their apartment buildings and in their communities.
Sunday
In recent years, there has been a growing trend for local churches in China to join certain denominations, but this is still a relatively small percentage of the churches. In the future, it may be useful to see how denominations grow as part of church growth study nationwide. Being affiliated with a denomination implies a connection with a foreign entity which can present unwanted official scrutiny, especially in the time of increased restrictions. We pray for vibrant growth and sound teaching in all churches.
Monday
It has been suggested that young people from different churches in the same Chinese city should gather together and hold some activities, not merely for socializing or match-making, but to give them a sense of community. We ask the Lord to prepare young pastors to shepherd young people, and to raise up more young people who have a better understanding of the Bible. We pray they are willing to influence their peers and even become the little shepherds among them, training them to be bold in sharing the gospel with their peers and even to lead others in fellowship.
星期二
估計中國教會會友的數目非常困難。根據牧者一般的經驗，主日的出席人數和會友數目之間通常有20-30％的差距。在城市裡，因生活不規律和超時工作，家庭和子女的活動等因素，教會出席率往往低於教會會友數目。求主幇助信徒將信仰活化出來，不是只做四面牆下的信徒，而是能夠在神的話語上扎下深根，活出光和鹽來。
星期三
在一些傳統的教會裡，信徒縱使因生活繁忙而缺席聚會，也會盡可能參加聖餐主日崇拜。在某些教會裡，聖餐主日時，人數都比其他主日較多，也會接近教會領袖估計的成員數目。不論人數多少，求主幫助傳道人能夠適切並有效的關心和照看羊群的靈命需要。
星期四
在農村教會中，參加聖餐主日的人數也較高，因為遷到附近城鎮或城市的信徒可能會定期或偶爾在節日期間，專誠回到家鄉進行交流和團聚。我們再次為農村教會的復興向神迫切禱告，也為那些離開教會但仍然關心，為母會奉獻，關心教會的發展的信徒感謝神。
星期五
大學當中也會做了些家庭背景調查，當中也會收集有關宗教信仰的信息。但是在政府限制性環境下，一般不願意透露自己的宗教信仰。尤其是在當今中國的大環境下，公開自己的信仰確實是不容易的事。求主賜給神的兒女有靈巧的智慧，並加添勇氣和膽量，把握機會分享神的救恩。
星期六
由於中國教會沒有信徒的名單，要做會眾普查具有局限性。例如從其他教會轉移的，以及只能在假期才能參加聚會的年長信徒等等，使得人數難以準確估計。然而，這類數據的確給教會發展提供寶貴的資訊和見解。求主幫助信徒能在自己的住處和社區中成為光和鹽，成為神施恩的管道。
星期日
近年地方教會加入某些宗派的趨勢越來越明顯，但仍是一個相對較小的比例。以宗派來估計，中國教會的數目在未來也有不斷增長的可能。教會有宗派也意味與國外組織有聯繫，特別是在最近的大環境之下，必定會招來官方更多不必要的關注和干擾。求主幫助祂的身體成長茁壮，在艱難中仍然堅心倚靠神，在黎明之前繼續勇往向前。
星期一
有些牧者建議：「讓城裡不同教會的青年人都聚在一起，讓他們相互認識，定期舉辦一些社交活動，不僅限於婚配性質，讓他們能擁有自己的圈子，能彼此的相互激勵。」願主預備更多合適的傳道人來牧養青年人，又興起那些對聖經比較有系統認識的年輕人，願意影響同輩，甚至成為他們當中的小牧人。
估計中國教會會友的數目非常困難。根據牧者一般的經驗，主日的出席人數和會友數目之間通常有20-30％的差距。在城市裡，因生活不規律和超時工作，家庭和子女的活動等因素，教會出席率往往低於教會會友數目。求主幇助信徒將信仰活化出來，不是只做四面牆下的信徒，而是能夠在神的話語上扎下深根，活出光和鹽來。
星期三
在一些傳統的教會裡，信徒縱使因生活繁忙而缺席聚會，也會盡可能參加聖餐主日崇拜。在某些教會裡，聖餐主日時，人數都比其他主日較多，也會接近教會領袖估計的成員數目。不論人數多少，求主幫助傳道人能夠適切並有效的關心和照看羊群的靈命需要。
星期四
在農村教會中，參加聖餐主日的人數也較高，因為遷到附近城鎮或城市的信徒可能會定期或偶爾在節日期間，專誠回到家鄉進行交流和團聚。我們再次為農村教會的復興向神迫切禱告，也為那些離開教會但仍然關心，為母會奉獻，關心教會的發展的信徒感謝神。
星期五
大學當中也會做了些家庭背景調查，當中也會收集有關宗教信仰的信息。但是在政府限制性環境下，一般不願意透露自己的宗教信仰。尤其是在當今中國的大環境下，公開自己的信仰確實是不容易的事。求主賜給神的兒女有靈巧的智慧，並加添勇氣和膽量，把握機會分享神的救恩。
星期六
由於中國教會沒有信徒的名單，要做會眾普查具有局限性。例如從其他教會轉移的，以及只能在假期才能參加聚會的年長信徒等等，使得人數難以準確估計。然而，這類數據的確給教會發展提供寶貴的資訊和見解。求主幫助信徒能在自己的住處和社區中成為光和鹽，成為神施恩的管道。
星期日
近年地方教會加入某些宗派的趨勢越來越明顯，但仍是一個相對較小的比例。以宗派來估計，中國教會的數目在未來也有不斷增長的可能。教會有宗派也意味與國外組織有聯繫，特別是在最近的大環境之下，必定會招來官方更多不必要的關注和干擾。求主幫助祂的身體成長茁壮，在艱難中仍然堅心倚靠神，在黎明之前繼續勇往向前。
星期一
有些牧者建議：「讓城裡不同教會的青年人都聚在一起，讓他們相互認識，定期舉辦一些社交活動，不僅限於婚配性質，讓他們能擁有自己的圈子，能彼此的相互激勵。」願主預備更多合適的傳道人來牧養青年人，又興起那些對聖經比較有系統認識的年輕人，願意影響同輩，甚至成為他們當中的小牧人。
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